Method for converting a clubhouse

ABSTRACT

A method for converting a clubhouse is disclosed that comprises the steps of obtaining a clubhouse for conversion and converting the clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling. A method for building a clubhouse is also disclosed that comprises the steps of obtaining an interest to build a clubhouse and building a clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method for improving real estate and more particularly to a method for converting a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling or constructing a clubhouse as part of a multi-unit dwelling.

The game of golf is an increasingly popular game played around the world. A country club or golf club (“Club”) typically includes a golf course located on a well-maintained and landscaped large tract that includes a clubhouse. In addition to the golf course and the clubhouse, the country club may include other facilities such as driving range, a pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center. Due to the passage of time, the golf course, the clubhouse, and the other facilities may need to be updated, replaced, or maintained. However, due to the costs involved and the amount necessary to assess each club member this may not be feasible or popular. Further, over time the tract of land may become highly desirable and expensive real estate. In this case, it may be economical for the Club members to decide to sell the property and move the club instead of assessing the members to rehab the golf course and the clubhouse. However, the Club members may be reluctant to sell the land because the members may not be able to find a suitable replacement. Further, because of economics, the Club members may want to attempt to generate capital or money from an existing asset, such as selling any excess land that the Club may own. Up to this point in time, excess land is the only asset that can be sold to generate any income for a Club. It is also possible that the club is well maintained and that the club does not need to renovate the clubhouse. In this situation, the Club may determine that it would be advantageous to modernize or update the clubhouse. However, again, due to the costs involved and the amount necessary to assess each Club member this may not be feasible or popular and another method of funding such a project may have to be found.

Therefore, it would be desirable to generate income for a Club by converting a heretofore unrecognized asset. In particular, it would be desirable to generate capital for a Club by converting its clubhouse into a clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling. It is also desirable to increase the value of a membership at a Club by rehabbing an existing clubhouse or by building a new clubhouse.

The present invention is designed to obviate and overcome many of the disadvantages and shortcomings associated with a clubhouse owned by a Club. In particular, the present invention is a method for converting a clubhouse to generate money for a Club and to further increase the value of the Club and the real estate owned by the Club. Moreover, the method of the present invention can be employed to increase the value of a Club and to provide for numerous residences in an area in which residences are typically not located or available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form of the present invention, a method for converting a clubhouse comprises the steps of obtaining a clubhouse for conversion, rehabbing the clubhouse, and building a multi-unit dwelling over the rehabbed clubhouse.

In another form of the present invention, a method for converting a clubhouse comprises the steps obtaining a clubhouse for conversion, demolishing the clubhouse, and building a new clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling over the new clubhouse.

In still another form of the present invention, a method of building a clubhouse comprises the steps of obtaining an interest to build a clubhouse, and building a clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling.

In light of the foregoing comments, it will be recognized that a principal object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse having as a component part a multi-unit dwelling. It is also possible and contemplated that raw land is used to build or construct a clubhouse with a multi-unit dwelling over or beside the clubhouse and also building a golf course and other facilities or amenities from scratch.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling to increase the value of the Club.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling to generate capital or money for a Club.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling to increase membership in a Club.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling to increase the value of real estate associated with the clubhouse.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse to increase the value of a Club.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse to provide dwelling units in an area that did not previously have dwelling units.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling to provide living space for Club members.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for converting or building a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling in which part of the dwelling includes a condo hotel.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart diagram illustrating a preferred operation of the method for converting a clubhouse according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram illustrating a method of obtaining the clubhouse;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram illustrating another method of obtaining the clubhouse;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram illustrating a method for converting a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram illustrating another method for converting a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart diagram illustrating another preferred operation of the method for converting a clubhouse according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram illustrating a preferred operation of a method for building a clubhouse having a multi-unit dwelling;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system for converting a clubhouse constructed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a screen that may be presented during use of the method for converting a clubhouse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like items, number 10 identifies a preferred method for converting a clubhouse according to the present invention. With reference now to FIG. 1, the method 10 is shown to comprise a first step 12 in which an entity obtains, acquires, or purchases an interest in a clubhouse owned by a Club. By way of examples only, a Club may sell the clubhouse and the ground upon which the clubhouse is located to a developer, a Club may lease the clubhouse and the ground upon which the clubhouse is located to a developer, a Club may lease only the clubhouse to a developer, or a Club may sell or lease air rights about a clubhouse. A second step 14 of the method 10 comprises converting the clubhouse obtained in the step 12 into a multi-unit dwelling. Again, by way of example only, a developer may convert the clubhouse into a high-rise having several floors in which are retail space, apartments, condos, a condo hotel, or a mix thereof. It is also possible and contemplated that the Club may not have a clubhouse and the developer may obtain rights to build a clubhouse having as a component part a multi-unit dwelling.

FIG. 2 shows a possible way in which to obtain a clubhouse. In particular, a clubhouse may be purchased from a Club and this is shown by a step 16. A developer may approach a Club through the Club's board of directors or trustees and provide a proposal to purchase the Club's clubhouse. The proposal may include a purchase price for the clubhouse, plans for the conversion of the clubhouse, and plans for the building of a multi-unit dwelling. The board may review the proposal and based upon the Club's by-laws may either accept or reject the proposal or submit the proposal to a vote of the members of the Club. If the proposal is accepted, then the necessary contracts and real estate documents are prepared. As has been discussed, the purchase may include only air rights above the clubhouse.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a flowchart illustrates another possible process 18 that may be used to obtain an interest in a clubhouse. A clubhouse may be leased or rented from a Club and this is depicted in the process or step 18. Again, a developer or other entity may approach a Club and provide a proposal to lease the clubhouse for a term. The proposal may include a lease amount to be paid for a number of years, the term of the lease (for example, a lease term of 99 years plus an option for another lease term), plans for conversion of the clubhouse, and plans for the building of a multi-unit dwelling. The board may review the proposal and may attempt to negotiate various terms of the proposal. For example, the length of the initial lease period, the dollar amount of the lease payments, any option for an additional lease term, changes to the clubhouse improvements, and changes to the multi-unit dwelling. Again, it is also possible that the Club may only lease air rights above the clubhouse.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that illustrates a process 30 for converting a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling. Initially in a step 32, plans for a new clubhouse and multi-unit dwelling are prepared. This may include hiring an architect to prepare plans, hiring an attorney to prepare all the necessary documents and to obtain zoning ordinance, hiring a company to raze the existing clubhouse, and hiring a company to construct the new structure. After the step 32 is completed and all of the necessary permits have been obtained, a company razes or destroys the existing clubhouse, as is shown in a step 34. In a next step 36, a new clubhouse is constructed and constructing a multi-unit dwelling over the new clubhouse in a step 38 completes the process. As can be appreciated, the new clubhouse and the multi-unit dwelling may be constructed at the same time. In this particular situation it may be preferred to construct a temporary clubhouse or structure for members of the Club or to have reciprocal arrangements at another Club for the use of a clubhouse during the destruction and construction process. The new clubhouse may have new and additional facilities that the old clubhouse had. For example, the new clubhouse may have various locker rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, meeting or conference rooms, exercise facilities, indoor courts, and spa facilities. As can be appreciated, the multi-unit dwelling may include condominiums, retail space, apartments, a condo hotel, and rooms that the Club may rent for guests or members. The multi-unit dwelling can be a high rise that may span many stories high. The multi-unit dwelling will be a desirable location due to many factors. These factors may include the ability to view the Club's grounds and to use the Club's facilities.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrates another method 50 for converting a clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling. The method 50 commences with a first step 52 in which clubhouse plans are prepared. This step 52 in particular may include hiring an architect to prepare plans, hiring an attorney to prepare all the necessary documents and to obtain zoning ordinance, hiring a company to rehab the existing clubhouse, and hiring a company to construct the new structure or a multi-unit dwelling over the rehabbed clubhouse. In a next step 54, the clubhouse is rehabbed. The rehabbing process may be taken in steps to permit the Club members to continue to use the clubhouse. For example, if the clubhouse has two dining rooms, one dining room may be rehabbed while the members may use the other dining room. Once one of the dining rooms is rehabbed this dining room may be opened for the members to use and the other dining room may be rehabbed. In this situation, the Club and the members would not have to enter into a reciprocal arrangement with another Club. Once the clubhouse is rehabbed, a multi-unit dwelling may be constructed over the rehabbed clubhouse. This is depicted in a step 56 of the process 50. Rehabbing of the clubhouse may include increasing the structural integrity of the clubhouse so that it may support a multi-unit dwelling above the clubhouse. Again, the multi-unit dwelling may include condominiums, a condo hotel, retail space, apartments, and rooms that the Club may rent for guests or members.

FIG. 6 illustrates another preferred method 70 for converting a clubhouse according to the present invention. The method 70 begins with an initial step 72 in which an interest in a clubhouse of a Club is obtained. The interest in the clubhouse may be a purchase of the clubhouse or a lease or rental agreement of the clubhouse from the Club. In a next step 74, the clubhouse is rehabbed. Although this step 74 indicates that the clubhouse is rehabbed, it is also possible and contemplated that the clubhouse may be demolished, destroyed, or razed and a new clubhouse may be built in its place. In a next step 76, a multi-unit dwelling is constructed next to the rehabbed or reconstructed clubhouse. The multi-unit dwelling may take on various forms. For example, the dwelling may comprise attached homes or villas, individual homes or villas, condominiums, a condo hotel, apartment buildings, or a high-rise structure. The rehabbed or new clubhouse may have new and additional facilities that the old clubhouse had. As has been discussed, the rehabbed or new clubhouse may have various locker rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, meeting or conference rooms, exercise facilities, indoor courts, and spa facilities. Further, the clubhouse may include retail space such as a golf pro shop, a tennis pro shop, a clothing store, or a jewelry store.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a flowchart of a process 80 for building a clubhouse having a multi-unit dwelling is depicted. This particular embodiment encompasses the cases when a new Club is being built or an existing Club does not have a clubhouse and wishes to build a clubhouse. Initially in a step 82, an interest to build a clubhouse is obtained by a developer or investor. In a next step 84, the new clubhouse is constructed. The step 84 may include preparing plans for a new clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling. This may include hiring an architect to prepare plans, hiring an attorney to prepare all the necessary documents and to obtain zoning ordinance, hiring a company to raze the existing clubhouse, and hiring a company to construct the new structure. In a next step 86, a new multi-unit dwelling over the new clubhouse is constructed and this completes the process 80. As can be appreciated, the new clubhouse and the multi-unit dwelling may be constructed at the same time. The new clubhouse may have facilities such as various locker rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, meeting or conference rooms, exercise facilities, indoor courts, and spa facilities. As can be appreciated, the multi-unit dwelling may include condominiums, retail space, apartments, a condo hotel, and rooms that the Club may rent for guests or members. The multi-unit dwelling can be a high rise that may span many stories high or the multi-unit dwelling may be an adjoining structure to the clubhouse. As can be appreciated, the multi-unit dwelling will be a desirable location due to many factors as have previously been described.

A system for converting a clubhouse 100 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The system 100 is shown comprising a developer computer system 102 that is capable of being connected to the Internet 104 by a communications connection 106 such as a telephone line, cable, ISDN lines, fiber optic lines, wireless connections, satellites, or other suitable means of connection. Through use of the connection 106 to the Internet 104, the computer 102 is capable of sending and receiving information or data to or from a Club computer system 108 over a connection 110. As described for the connection 106, the connection 110 may include a telephone line, cable, ISDN lines, fiber optic lines, wireless connections, satellites, or other means of connection. The Club computer system 108 is also capable of transmitting and receiving information or data to or from the developer computer system 102.

Although not shown, each computer system 102 and 108 may include a server, such as a web server having web pages that each system 102 and 108 may access. The developer computer system 102 and the Club computer system 108 may be allowed access to each other through use of a commonly available web browser or similar software package or application. The systems 102 and 108 are each capable of hosting a web site that can present various screens or web pages to the computer systems 102 and 108. A user operating the computer system 102 is able to interact with the web site being hosted by the computer system 108. Further, a user operating the computer system 108 is also able to interact with the web site being hosted by the computer system 108. In particular, a user may be presented with various screens or web pages with such web pages presenting information concerning the process of converting a clubhouse.

By way of example, the developer computer system 102 may send or transmit a web page or screen 120 as illustrated in FIG. 9 to the Club computer system 108. As shown, the screen 120 may include information concerning the status or phase of the method for converting a clubhouse. In this particular screen 120, information relating to the status of the multi-unit dwelling is displayed. A box 122 is provided that may include information relating to the name of the project, a box 124 may be provided that includes information relating to work completed to date, a box 126 may be included that indicates work to be completed, a box 128 may be provided to indicate what floor of the high rise is being worked on, and a box 130 may be provided for the insertion of comments or questions to be sent back to the computer system 102 for response. Once a comment or a question is entered into the box 130, a button 132 may be selected to transmit the information inserted into the box 130 to the computer system 102. As can be appreciated, various other screens and information may be provided back and forth between the computer systems 102 and 108. For example, the computer system 102 may be used to transmit the original proposal to purchase the clubhouse and to covert the clubhouse. The computer system 108 may be used to transmit an acceptance of the proposal or a counteroffer.

Further, although not shown, the computer systems 102 and 108 may include peripheral devices such as a keyboard, a speaker, a display, a printer, a modem, a network card, and any other suitable device. The computer systems 102 and 108 each may be a personal computer having a microprocessor, memory, a hard drive having stored thereon an operating system and other software, and input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, a CD-ROM drive, or a floppy disk drive. The computer systems 102 and 108 may each also be a PDA type device, a cell phone, or other hand held type computer device that allows for receiving and transmitting information or data. Further, if a server is part of the computer systems 102 and 108, each server may take on various known forms for a server including a personal computer, a computer system, or a network. Also, although the Internet 104 is disclosed, it is also possible that the systems 102 and 108 be located on a LAN or other closed network system.

From all that has been said, it will be clear that there has thus been shown and described herein a method for converting or building a clubhouse which fulfills the various objects and advantages sought therefore. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the subject method for converting or building a clubhouse are possible and contemplated. All changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A method for converting a clubhouse comprising the steps of: obtaining a clubhouse for conversion; and converting the clubhouse into a multi-unit dwelling.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining the clubhouse comprises the step of purchasing the clubhouse.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining the clubhouse comprises the step of leasing the clubhouse.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of converting the clubhouse comprises the steps of tearing down the clubhouse and building a new clubhouse and the multi-unit dwelling over the new clubhouse.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of building the new clubhouse comprises the step of building new facilities within the new clubhouse.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of converting the clubhouse comprises the steps of rehabbing the clubhouse and building the multi-unit dwelling over the rehabbed clubhouse.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-unit dwelling adjoins the clubhouse.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-unit dwelling is a high-rise.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-unit dwelling has a condo hotel.
 10. A method for converting a clubhouse comprises the steps obtaining a clubhouse for conversion, demolishing the clubhouse, and building a new clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling over the new clubhouse.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of obtaining the clubhouse comprises the step of purchasing the clubhouse.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of obtaining the clubhouse comprises the step of leasing the clubhouse.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of building the new clubhouse comprises the step of building new facilities within the new clubhouse.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the multi-unit dwelling is a high-rise.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the multi-unit dwelling is a high-rise comprised of retail space and condominiums.
 16. A method of building a clubhouse comprises the steps of obtaining an interest to build a clubhouse, and building a clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of building a clubhouse and a multi-unit dwelling comprises the step of building a high-rise.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the high-rise is comprised of retail space and condominiums.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the high-rise is comprised of apartments.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the multi-unit dwelling adjoins the clubhouse. 